New York – Information Office - September 29

The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, in partnership with the missions of Gabon and Monaco, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Mission 89, hosted an event on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on combating child trafficking in sports, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, which was held under the title "Time to Stand Against Child Trafficking in Sport, Role of Technology and Support to Tackle Exploitation and Human Trafficking in Sport".
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani affirmed in a speech before the event that human trafficking is a source of great concern to the State of Qatar, noting that trafficking in migrant athletes, usually teenagers, is an alarming development.
She said that one of the important tools to combat this terrible global development is the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, explaining that this support is based on the Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar's National Development Strategy, as well as its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and the protection of children and youth from violence, exploitation and abuse.
She noted that the State of Qatar is one of the largest contributors to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, with a special focus on women and children.
HE stressed the need for the effective strategy to combat trafficking to be based on prevention, prosecution and partnerships within a victim-centred and human rights-based framework, calling for the prosecution and punishment of recruiters and agents who exploit the aspirations of young people.
She referred to the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCHT) that was established by the State of Qatar in 2017, saying that it is a major step in the fight against trafficking, which is based on the idea that prevention, prosecution, protection and rehabilitation all go hand in hand with national plans to stop human trafficking.
In this context, she emphasized the importance of education and capacity development as essential components of the strategy to combat human trafficking, pointing out that the National Committee is primarily responsible for coordination between the various authorities.
She praised the efforts of the National Committee, which include providing shelters for human trafficking victims, identifying victims and referring them to protection services, with special and close attention to the issue of trafficking of young athletes.
HE underlined the primary responsibility of governments to combat human trafficking, stressing at the same time the importance of partnerships and cooperative efforts as the only way to eliminate human trafficking.
She noted the vital roles that civil society organizations, sports organizations, institutions and communities play in combating all forms of human trafficking.
HE added that human trafficking is an international crime that requires international response and cooperation, referring to the guide issued by the office of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the State of Qatar and the NCCHT titled "Together to Combat Forced Labour and Human Trafficking".
She praised the good relationship between the State of Qatar and the Doha offices of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which resulted in the launch of important programs and initiatives, including the UNODC project to protect sport from criminal activity through activities such as awareness-raising, capacity-building and technical assistance to sports organizations and representatives of national criminal justice institutions.
HE stated that partnerships are necessary to combat the technological progress of human traffickers, and to promote high-tech to protect young athletes from abuse and exploitation and to prevent trafficking, calling for cooperation with the private sector, and for assisting countries that lack access to advanced and developed technology.
She indicated that one of the priorities of the State of Qatar is to ensure that the FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the State of Qatar from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18, 2022, will leave a positive and lasting legacy in the State of Qatar and around the world.
She said that the tournament harnesses the power of football for the benefit of all, pointing to the programs that include youth protection and empowerment, labor law reform, and the protection from all forms of crimes against sports, athletes and sports facilities.
HE expressed the State of Qatar's aspiration to continue working closely with the international community to rescue individuals from human traffickers, including young athletes, and to protect societies from this crime.